Credit

Caption

Coloured scanning electron micrograph (SEM) of Brown recluse spider cephalothorax (Loxosceles reclusa). Characteristic features are the six eyes arranged in three pairs at the front of the head and the fiddle-shaped marking on the back. The brown recluse spider is often called the violin spider or fiddleback spider. The brown recluse bears a potentially deadly hemotoxic venom. Most bites are minor with no necrosis. However, a small number of brown recluse bites do produce severe dermonecrotic lesions. The bite of this spider is nasty and results in open, ulcerating sores. Left untreated such bites often become infected and significant tissue necrosis can occur. Magnification: x7 when shortest axis printed at 25 millimetres.